BIOGRAPHY & MISSION
The Physician Who Codes
Dr. David M. Truong is a board-certified gastroenterologist who has practiced medicine for 37 years while teaching residents at UC Irvine School of Medicine for 25 years. But he’s also a programmer, a combination that’s rare in medicine.
In the 1980s at USC, before personal computers were common, he earned both a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology (graduating summa cum laude) and a programming certification. That dual expertise seemed like an unusual pairing at the time. Forty years later, it became the foundation for Healthelic.
From Clinical Practice to Technology
After earning his MD from UC Davis in 1990, completing his residency at UCLA, and finishing his fellowship in gastroenterology at Tufts University, Dr. Truong established a private practice in Fountain Valley, California, in 2001. His expertise in interventional endoscopy made him a referral physician for major academic centers throughout Southern California.
Between 2013 and 2015, he served as regional endoscopic team leader for the DUOPA FDA clinical trials, a multi-center Phase 1-4 study testing a novel treatment for advanced Parkinson’s disease. This experience working under FDA scrutiny taught him what medical verification truly requires. Every data point mattered. Every recommendation needed traceable sources.
GENERAL GASTROENTEROLOGY & LIVER DISEASE
Comprehensive Care for Digestive & Liver Conditions
Dr. Truong provides complete evaluation and management of general gastrointestinal and liver diseases, offering thoughtful, evidence-based care tailored to each patient.
Conditions treated include:
- Abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits
- GERD, acid reflux, and swallowing disorders
- Gastrointestinal bleeding and anemia
- Fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and abnormal liver tests
- Colon cancer screening and prevention
- Inflammatory and functional GI disorders
Care is delivered with attention to detail, clear communication, and long-term outcomes.
SPECIAL EXPERTISE IN HEMORRHOIDAL BLEEDING
Advanced Evaluation & Treatment of Hemorrhoidal Bleeding
While hemorrhoids are common, rectal bleeding should never be assumed to be benign without proper evaluation.
I bring specialized expertise in:
- Accurate diagnosis of rectal bleeding
- Differentiating hemorrhoids from other GI causes
- Minimally invasive hemorrhoid treatments
- Management of recurrent or complex hemorrhoidal disease
The goal is effective treatment with minimal discomfort, avoiding unnecessary surgery whenever possible.
ADVANCED DUOPA® THERAPY — PROCEDURAL LEADERSHIP
Procedural Leader for FDA-Approved Duopa® Therapy
Dr. Truong served as the gastroenterologist leading the procedural team in Orange County for FDA-approved Duopa® therapy, a highly specialized treatment requiring advanced technical expertise and close coordination with neurology teams. This role reflects:- Experience with complex GI access procedures
- Adherence to strict safety and regulatory standards
- Collaborative, multidisciplinary with Neurology experts for optimal patient care
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Clinical Practice
Owner & Founder (2001-present)
David M. Truong, M.D., APC, Fountain Valley, CA
Board-certified gastroenterologist specializing in interventional endoscopy. Built a thriving specialty practice, often with a three-month waitlist. Serves as referral physician for major academic centers in Southern California. Expertise includes complex GI cases, GERD, IBS, hepatitis C, colon cancer screening, and upper GI bleeding.
Hospital Affiliations
UCI Health-Fountain Valley | UC Irvine Medical Center | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center | MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
National Recognition
Presidential Recognition from Barack Obama (2010)
For advisory work on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Honorary Chairman (2006)
House Majority Trust and George W. Bush President’s Dinner
Physician of the Year (2003)
National Republican Congressional Committee
National Leadership Award | Honorary Chairman, Physicians’ Advisory Board
Academic Excellence
Milo Don Appleman Jr. M.D. Memorial Award (1985)
Best Graduating Senior in Biological Sciences, University of Southern California
Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude (1985)
Honors Program in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, USC
Honor Societies
Golden Key International Honour Society | Phi Kappa Phi | Alpha Epsilon Delta
CLINICAL RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS
DUOPA® FDA Clinical Trials
Trial Overview:
Randomized, double-blind study testing continuous intrajejunal infusion of levodopa-carbidopa for advanced Parkinson’s disease. 71 patients enrolled across 26 centers. FDA approval granted January 12, 2015.
Dr. Truong's Role:
Regional Endoscopic Team Leader for Southern California. Performed specialized PEG-J (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy with Jejunal extension) tube placements required for continuous drug delivery.
Published Results:
The Lancet Neurology, February 2014
DUOPA reduced daily “off” time by 4.04 hours vs. 2.14 hours for oral medication (p=0.0015)
24/7
Expert staff
Leaders in medicine, nursing, and research.
365
Patient focus
Advancing your health and well-being every day.
Committee Service
Fountain Valley Regional Medical Center
Blood Transfusion Safety Committee (2009-2012)
Patient Safety and Quality Care Committee (2009-2011)
University of California, Davis, School of Medicine
Founder and Chairman: Medical Student Clinics Support Group (1987-1988)
Professional Organizations
Southern California Society of Gastroenterology
Association of Volunteer Faculty Physicians, UC Irvine
American Medical Association
Building Healthelic
By 2023, Dr. Truong faced the same crisis affecting physicians nationwide. Despite seeing patients all day, he spent 90+ minutes every night finishing charts. Administrative tasks consumed more time than patient care.
Unlike most physicians, he could do something about it. He assembled a team of former Amazon and Google AI developers to build Healthelic under physician leadership. The goal wasn’t another transcription tool. He wanted clinical intelligence with a two-step verification system drawing from his FDA trial experience.
The Mission
Healthelic exists to give physicians back their time. Not just faster documentation, but intelligent clinical support that understands the weight of medical decisions.
Dr. Truong still practices medicine. Still teaches residents. Still finishes charts late at night. But now he’s also building the solution he needed.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Clinical Practice
Healthelic
- Digestive and Health Center of OC 10900 Warner Ave
- Suite 201 Fountain Valley, CA 92708
- (714) 274-9969
Dr. Truong continues to practice gastroenterology, teach medical residents, and lead Healthelic’s development. His patient reviews consistently highlight his thorough approach, clear communication, and commitment to coordinated care.